Device For Storing And Dispensing Sheet Materials

ABSTRACT

A napkin holding and dispensing device generally intended to be used for neatly holding variable quantities of napkins in a relatively upright position. The napkin holder includes one or more portions, each portion is comprised of an angled inner surfaced on which the napkins lean, and angled lower surface on which the napkins rest, and may include an outer surface to hold the napkins in place. The napkins are held in an ascending fashion to facilitate removal of a single napkin.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/002,182 filed 7 Nov. 2007, which application is hereby incorporated fully by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a device for holding and dispensing sheet stock, and in particular, to a single or dual-sided napkin holding and dispensing device that operates without the use of spring tension to maintain one or more napkins in an upright and dispensable position.

2. Description of Related Art

Napkin holders are widely used in both restaurants and homes throughout the world. There are two main types of napkin holders, generally speaking, passive and active. Passive napkin holders are simply shaped to hold napkins in a desirable position. These may include the familiar tabletop napkin holders found in many homes holding horizontally stacked napkins and may be as simple as a folded, u-shaped piece of Lucite, plastic, metal, or decorative ceramic. Still other passive napkin holders may vertically stack napkins and simply rely on the tight bunching of a full batch of the napkins to facilitate feeding and orientation.

Active napkin holders, on the other hand, typically use one of a variety of spring-tensioned devices to hold napkins in place until dispensed. Many active napkin holders also use an opening in the front to facilitate the removal of a single napkin. In the restaurant industry, large capacity napkin holders are commonplace. These holders usually provide a loading door with an opening through which one can remove napkins. These holders use a spring-loaded plate behind the napkins to maintain tension against the loading door and to maintain the napkins in an upright configuration.

A common problem with conventional napkin holders, however, is their inability to maintain proper napkin orientation and dispensing regardless of how many napkins they contain. For instance, when a spring-loaded napkin holder is full of napkins, there is excessive spring pressure that causes napkins to either feed too quickly, i.e., more than one at a time, or the napkins cannot be removed without ripping them. On the other hand, when passive napkin holders are less than full, the napkins have a tendency to fall over or droop. This can cause the napkins to fall out altogether or just make the table look messy and disorganized.

What is needed, therefore, is a napkin dispenser that is capable of holding varying quantities of napkins while maintaining the organization and dispensability of the napkins contained therein. Additionally, the device should be a simple and cost-effective solution to this ubiquitous problem. It is to such a device that the present invention is primarily directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in preferred form, the present invention is a napkin holding and dispensing device. The present invention can maintain one or more napkins in an upright and dispensable position by providing a first lower member with a surface suitable to engage the lower edge of a napkin, and a first inner member with a surface suitable to engage the face of a napkin. The first lower member and the first inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more napkins in an ascending row of napkins, wherein the upper edges of a plurality of napkins are lowest in proximity to the first inner member, and highest distal from the first inner member.

The present device can further comprise a first outer member for communication with the napkin most distal the first inner member, in order to keep the one or more napkins held between the first inner member and the first outer member. The first outer member can be hingedly connected to the first lower member. The present device can further comprise a first hinge stop to prevent the outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation, for example, beyond vertical.

The present device can further include two (ore more) such portions, generally intended to be used for holding napkins in all portions. Thus, the present holding and dispensing device can include a first portion and a second portion, each capable of separately containing napkins to be dispensed.

These portions can each include an inner member and a lower member. The inner member can be disposed such that it is tilted toward the center of the holder and away from vertical to facilitate napkins leaning thereon. The lower member can be disposed such that it leans slightly towards the inner member and upwardly from horizontal. This can also cause the napkins to lean neatly against the inner member no matter how many napkins are remaining in a portion. In addition, the incline of the lower members tends to force the napkins into an ascending row. This facilitates easy removal of a single napkin.

In an exemplary embodiment, the napkin holder may further comprise an outer member. The outer member may be rotationally connected to an outside edge of the lower member, for example, with a hinge. In some embodiments, the hinge may include hinge stops that prevent the outer member from hinging to or past the vertical position. Therefore, the outer member can maintain an angle such that the weight of the outer member acts inwardly on the napkin(s).

As a result, all three members, the inner, the lower, and the outer, act together to force the napkins to lean neatly, in an ascending row against the inner member. This passive, gravity driven napkin holder stores napkins neatly, allows for easy removal of a single napkin, and obviates the need for an active, spring-loaded napkin holder.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a single-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a single-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another perspective view of the double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate perspective views of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate perspective views of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a double-sided holding and dispensing device in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, the present invention of FIG. 1 is a holding and dispensing device (“device”) 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. For convenience, the term “napkins” is used herein to describe items to be stored and/or dispensed. It is contemplated, however, that the present invention is suitable to store and dispense other similar items such as, and not a limitation, papers, files, folders, cards, menus, and the like. The device can be made from plastic, metal, wood, or other materials, or combinations of materials.

The configuration of FIG. 1 provides a napkin holder with a narrow profile. This may be desirable when space is at a premium such as on a busy lunch counter or a crowded table. The item that is storable and dispensable by the present invention has a face and lower and upper edges. In a typical embodiment, the item is a napkin, being a folded sheet presented into a square or rectangular shape, the napkin have front and back faces being the majority of the napkin, the faces being bounded, or terminating, in edges.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 can comprise one napkin well 160 adapted to hold one or more napkins. The device 100 can comprise an outer member 110 disposed about a base 105. The outer member 110 can be hingedly affixed to the base 105 with a hinge 120. In other contemplated embodiments, the outer member 110 can be affixed to or integral to the base 105.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the base 105. The base 105 comprises an inner member 130 and a lower member 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner member 130 is leaned away from vertical and toward the vertical wall 102. The inner member 130 is disposed in a non-parallel configuration such that it forms an included angle α with the vertical wall 102. Because the top of the inner member 130 is leaned toward the vertical wall 102 and away from vertical, napkins naturally lean against the member 130 by force of gravity.

The base further comprises a lower member 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower member 140 is angled above horizontal at an acute angle β. The angled lower member 140 serves at least two functions. First, because it is angled towards the inner members 130, the lower member 140 also causes the napkins to lean against the inner member 130 by force of gravity. Second, the angle of the lower member 140 aligns the napkins such that the outermost napkin is the highest napkin in the stack. This makes it possible to easily retrieve a single napkin from the outside of the stack. See, e.g., FIG. 5.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 can include an outer member 110. The outer member 110 can be hingedly affixed to the base 105 using a hinge 120. While FIG. 1 depicts a solid piano-type hinge, it is contemplated that other means can be used to hingedly affix the outer member 110 to the base 105 such as, and not a limitation, butt hinges, butterfly hinges, barrel hinges, and so on.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge 120 can include one or more hinge stops 150. The hinge stops 150 may comprise a simple tab overlapping the hinge, as shown, or may include a hinge pin stop or other means to limit hinge motion. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge 120 can preferably include two hinge stops 150. The hinge stops 150 allow the hinge 120, and thus the outer member 110, to open to allow napkins to be refilled in the device 100. The hinge stop 150, however, conveniently prevents the hinge 120 and thus the outer member 110 from opening to or past vertical.

The hinge stops 150 obviate the need to use springs to control the movement of the outer member 110 because the outer member 110 is prevented from reaching the vertical position. As a result, the gravitational force acting on the outer member 110 is at all times resolved, at least partially, inwardly towards the base 105. In other words, if released, the top of the outer member 110 always falls in towards the inner member 130.

In total, therefore, three discrete components of the device 100 act to hold the napkins neatly and conveniently in place. First, the napkins lean in on the inner member 130 because it is inclined away from the lower member 140 and towards the vertical wall 102 of the base 105. Second, the lower member 140 is angled above horizontal and towards the inner member 130, which also forces the napkins to lean on the inner member 130. Finally, the weight of the outer member 110 leaning in on the napkins holds them securely in place. In other words, each component (e.g., the outer member 110, the inner member 130, and the lower members 140) forming the napkin well 160 acts to force the napkins to lean neatly, in an ascending row, against the inner members 130.

Additionally, because there is no need for spring tension, the napkins are held at relatively the same tension no matter how many napkins are inserted. This is because the difference in the angle of the outer member 110 relative to the inner member 130 when the napkin well 160 is full and when it is empty, or close to empty, is relatively small, as shown by comparing FIG. 5 to FIG. 6. Consequently, the difference in the resultant gravitational force acting inwardly on the outer member 110 is also small. In other words, napkins are held neatly, at very nearly the same tension, and such that it is always easy to retrieve a single napkin from the outside of the stack, no matter how many napkins are in the napkin well 160.

In an alternative embodiment, the device 300 can comprise two napkin wells 355, 360 adapted to hold napkins. This may desirable when higher napkin capacity is required such as in a commercial setting, or for aesthetic reasons. In some embodiments, this may be achieved by simply affixing two single-sided napkin holders, as described above, to one another. In other embodiments, a double-side napkin holder may be manufactured integrally.

The device 300 comprises a first outer member 310 and a second outer member 315 disposed about a base 305. The side members 310, 315 can be hingedly affixed to the base 305 with a first hinge 320 and a second hinge 325. In other contemplated embodiments, the side members 310, 315 can be integral to the base 305 and may be disposed vertically or may be leaned in towards the base 305.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the base 305. The base 305 comprises a first inner member 330, a second inner member 335, a first lower member 340, and a second lower member 345. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner members 330, 335 are leaned away from vertical and toward the longitudinal centerline 405 of the device 300. The inner members 330, 335 are disposed such that they substantially form an upside-down v shape with included acute angle θ. Because the inner members 330, 335 are leaned toward the center 405 of the device 300 and away from vertical, napkins naturally lean against the members 330, 335 by force of gravity.

The base further comprises a first and second lower member 340, 345. The lower members 340, 345 are angled above horizontal at an acute angle Φ. The angled lower members 340, 345 serve at least two functions. First, because they are angled towards the inner members 330, 335, the lower members 340, 345 also cause the napkins to lean against the inner members 330, 335 by force of gravity. Second, the angle of the lower members 340, 345 aligns the napkins such that the outermost napkin in each stack is the highest napkin in the stack. This makes it possible to easily retrieve a single napkin from the outside of either stack. See, e.g., FIG. 5.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the device 300 can include a first and second outer member 310, 315. The outer members 310, 315 can be hingedly affixed to the base 305. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinges 320, 325 can include one or more hinge stops 350. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinges 320, 325 can preferably include two hinge stops 350. The hinge stops 350 allow the hinges 320, 325, and thus the outer members 310, 315, to open to allow napkins to be refilled in the device 300. The hinge stops 350, however, conveniently prevent the hinges 320, 325 and thus the outer members 310, 315 from opening to or past vertical.

The hinge stops 350 obviate the need to use springs to control the movement of the outer members 310, 315 because the outer members 310, 315 are prevented from reaching the vertical position by the hinge stops 350. As a result, the gravitational force acting on the outer members 310, 315 is at all times resolved, at least partially, inwardly towards the base 305. In other words, if released, the tops of the outer members 310, 315 always fall in towards the center.

In total, therefore, three discrete components of the device 300 act to hold the napkins neatly and conveniently in place. First, the napkins lean in on the inner members 330, 335 by force of gravity because the members are inclined towards the centerline of the base 305. Second, the lower members 340, 345 are angled above horizontal and towards the base 305, which also acts to force the napkins to lean toward the inner members 330, 335. Finally, the weight of the outer members 310, 315 leaning in on the napkins holds them securely in place. In other words, each component (e.g., the outer members 310, 315, the inner members 330, 335, and the lower members 340, 345) forming the napkin wells 355, 360 acts to force the napkins to lean neatly, in an ascending row, against the inner members 330, 335.

Additionally, because there is no need for spring tension, the napkins are held at relatively the same tension no matter how many napkins are inserted. This is because the difference in the angle of the outer members 310, 315 when the napkin well 355, 360 is full and when it is empty or close to empty is relatively small, as shown by comparing FIG. 5 to FIG. 6. Consequently, the difference in the resultant gravitational force, i.e., the force acting inwardly on the outer members 310, 315, is proportionately small. In other words, napkins are held neatly, at very nearly the same tension, and such that it is always easy to retrieve a single napkin from the outside of the stack regardless of the number of napkins being stored therein.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the outer members 710, 715 can be rigidly fixed to the base 705 rather than hingedly affixed. In some embodiments, the outer members 710, 715 can be integrally molded with the base 705. See, FIG. 7A. This may be desirable, for example, to increase the simplicity and/or longevity of the device 700, to lower production costs, or simply for aesthetic reasons. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer members 710, 715 can be angled slightly towards the base 705. The angled outer members 710, 715, coupled with the angled inner 730, 735 and lower 740, 745 members, tend to force the napkins to lean neatly, in an ascending row, against the inner members 730, 735 regardless of how many napkins are inserted. See, FIGS. 7B and 7C.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8A, the outer members 810, 815 can be substantially vertical. Again, this may be desirable to increase the simplicity and/or the longevity of the device 800, to lower production costs, or simply for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, the box-like shape may be more easily integrated in a commercial setting or in locations where space is at a premium such as on a crowed bar or in a cafeteria. While no inward force is exerted by the fixed outer members 810, 815, the napkins are nonetheless held in a desirable position by the angled surfaces of the inner 830, 835 and lower 840, 845 members. See, e.g., FIG. 8B.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, the device can be constructed from a framework (not panel-like members), for example, wire rod. Once again, this may be desirable to increase the simplicity and longevity of the device 900, to lower production costs, or simply for aesthetic reasons. This design may also be easier to keep clean in a commercial setting such as a restaurant. The wire rod can be coated using a variety of methods including, but not limited to painting, powder coating, chroming, and the like to provide a pleasing appearance, easy clean up, and/or to provide corrosion resistance.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base 905 can be manufactured from wire rod. The base 905 can have the same basic features as discussed above, including the angled inner members 930, 935. In some embodiments, the outside members 910, 915 can be hingedly affixed to the base 905 using hinges 920, 925. In some embodiments, portions of the napkin wells 955, 960 can be formed by multiple hangers 970 a, 970 b, and 970 c. In other words, the hangers 970 can form both the lower members 940, 945 and part of the inner members 930, 935 for the napkin well 955, 960. The napkin well is completed by inner portion 905A and lower portion 905B of wire that forms part of the base 905. The top 980 of the base 905 conveniently forms a handle with which one can move the device 900 easily without disturbing the napkins. A similar handle can be incorporated into all embodiments of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hinges 920, 925 can include hinge stops 950. This can prevent the outer members 910, 915 from extending to or past the vertical position. As mentioned above, this allows the outer members 910, 915 to exert a force inwardly on the napkins without the use of spring tension. Therefore, the outer members 910, 915 can be opened and napkins inserted therein. The napkins can lean neatly against the inner members 930, 935 and can be held in place by the weight of the outer members 910, 915. The napkins are held in an ascending fashion, as before, by lower members 940, 945, which facilitates removing one napkin at a time from the holder. See, e.g., FIG. 5.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the device 1000 is similarly constructed with like materials of FIG. 9, and has fixed side members 1010, 1015. This may be desirable, for example, to increase the simplicity and longevity of the device 1000, to lower production costs, or simply for aesthetic reasons. This design may also be easier to keep clean in a commercial setting such as a restaurant and has fewer moving parts that can be damaged during commercial use. The wire rod can be coated using a variety of methods including, but not limited to painting, powder coating, chroming, and the like to provide a pleasing appearance, easy clean up, and/or to provide corrosion resistance.

The base 1005 can be of the same basic shape as described above, but can be manufactured from multiple sections of wire rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the napkin well 1055, 1060 can be formed by fixed outer members 1010, 1015, lower members 1040, 1045, and inner members 1030, 1035. The fixed outer members 1010, 1015 can be vertical or can be inclined towards the inner members 1030, 1035 of the device 1000. The lower members 1040, 1045 can be set at an angle above horizontal and towards the inner members 1030, 1035 of the device 1000.

This configuration tends to make the napkins lean neatly against the inner members 1030, 1035. This also forms a row of napkins that is arranged in an ascending fashion in the device 1000. As mentioned above, this provides the user with a row of napkins wherein the outer napkin is always in the highest position in the device 1000. Therefore, users can easily remove a single napkin from the outside of the row of napkins.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, materials, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended. 

1. A device for storing and dispensing one or more items, an item having a face and lower and upper edges, the device comprising: a first lower member with a surface suitable to engage the lower edge of an item; and a first inner member with a surface suitable to engage the face of an item; wherein the first lower member and the first inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more items in an ascending row of items wherein the upper edges of a plurality of items are lowest in proximity to the first inner member, and highest distal from the first inner member.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first outer member for communication with the item most distal the first inner member.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first outer member is hingedly connected to the first lower member.
 4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a first hinge stop to prevent the outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation.
 5. A device for storing and dispensing one or more items, an item having a face and lower and upper edges, the device comprising: a first lower member and a second lower member with a surface suitable to engage the lower edge of an item; and a first inner member and a second inner member with a surface suitable to engage the face of an item; wherein the first lower member and the first inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more items in an ascending row of items wherein the upper edges of a plurality of items are lowest in proximity to the first inner member, and highest distal from the first inner member; and the second lower member and the second inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more items in an ascending row of items wherein the upper edges of a plurality of items are lowest in proximity to the second inner member, and highest distal from the second inner member.
 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a first outer member for communication with the item most distal the first inner member; and a second outer member for communication with the item most distal the second inner member.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first outer member is hingedly connected to the first lower member; and the second outer member is hingedly connected to the second lower member.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a first hinge stop to prevent the first outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation; and a second hinge stop to prevent the second outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation.
 9. A device for storing and dispensing one or more items, an item having a face and lower and upper edges, the device comprising: a base with a horizontal wall suitable for resting on a horizontal surface; a first lower member and a second lower member with a surface suitable to engage the lower edge of an item; and a first inner member and a second inner member with a surface suitable to engage the face of an item; wherein the first lower member and the first inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more items in an ascending row of items wherein the upper edges of a plurality of items are lowest in proximity to the first inner member, and highest distal from the first inner member; and the second lower member and the second inner member lie in such planes as to present the one or more items in an ascending row of items wherein the upper edges of a plurality of items are lowest in proximity to the second inner member, and highest distal from the second inner member.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a first outer member for communication with the item most distal the first inner member; and a second outer member for communication with the item most distal the second inner member.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first outer member is hingedly connected to the first lower member; and the second outer member is hingedly connected to the second lower member.
 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a first hinge stop to prevent the first outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation; and a second hinge stop to prevent the second outer member from rotating beyond a preset orientation.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the base, the horizontal wall, the first lower member, the second lower member, the first inner member, and the second inner member being formed of rods. 